Chapter 23 The Long Voyage - Storm And Stars

After three days at sea, Spark Storm had started to miss the smell of trees and pine sap. He missed the cooling darkness that the shade offered. Out here on the sea, he either had to stay inside where the air was stuffy, or stay outside where there was little protection from the sun.

Having dark fur meant absorbing the heat, instead of reflecting it like Sapphire Snow's fur would. Being the darkest-colored pony was a bit of a hassle on the open sea, needless to say. Of course, it did help when Frostbite would make him a suit of ice to cool off in.

Tonight, having spent all day inside his room, Spark sat upon the cabin's roof, overlooking the rest of the ship. He was enjoying the cool sea air when a figure made it's way out onto the front deck.

Spark hunched down, and spied over the edge. There, on the front deck, was the only other pony on the boat who's coat was anywhere near as dark as his.

Twilight Sparkle stood looking out at the ocean, and heaved a little sigh. She seemed to be carrying something, but her hair was obscuring the view. After stealthily moving closer to the edge, Spark noticed that she was carrying a little ragged doll.

Spark had to pretend not to listen as he heard Twilight speaking. It took him a moment to realize that she was talking to her doll.

"See, Smarty Pants?" She reached up with a hoof and showed the doll the stars. "That's Dubhe. It's the top of the cup. Follow it back, and there's Megrez, Alioth, Acor, and.."

She stopped with a gasp when she noticed the dark form on top of the cabins, her form shivering with fright.

"...Alkaid." Came a voice she recognized. With a sigh of embarrassment, Twilight magic'd her doll behind her back. Spark could practically hear the blush in her voice as she spoke accusingly at him.

"What are you doing? Are you spying on me, trying to make me feel stupid? And..." The pause in her voice was palpable.

"Did you...just name the handle of the Big Dipper? By it's proper, scientific name?"

"What, are you surprised?" Spark hopped down to the deck in front of Twilight and started to head inside. "I'm not sure I want to stay out here and be insulted."

"Wait, wait!" She practically forgot her doll before grabbing it with her magic and hugging it with her forelegs, as if in regret of her actions. "Please don't go. I-I was just lonely, that's all. And you surprised me."

Spark Storm turned and frowned at Twilight. They had never gotten on the right foot. If he didn't fix things now, this could be a really long trip. He finally turned and, not feeling completely merciful, said, "Twilight Sparkle. Are you trying to be polite to me?"

The Unicorn glanced away from him and returned Smarty Pants to her shoulders before turning back to look at the stars. "I'll try if you will."

Spark shrugged to himself. What could it hurt? It's not like either of them could really run away from each other anymore. He went to stand by her side and rested his forelegs on the railing.

She was silent for a moment before glancing at him. "Where did you learn to read the stars?"

"Braham taught me." He said. His short comment and tone of voice told Twilight she had struck a cord that he didn't really want to get into. But still, he knew the stars! Something about this wanted her to see her least favorite Pegasus in a new light.

"How much of the stars do you know, Spark?" Spark glanced sideways at Twilight. This was probably the first time in months that she'd used the first part of his name.

"Enough to know my way around. Braham taught me the basics, just enough to know where I am at all times as long as I can see the stars. It's kinda necessary when you're roughing it in the woods all over the valley."

"That's fascinating, Spark Storm, I - " She paused. Aside from this common ground, she knew there wasn't much else to talk to him about. They wouldn't have else to discuss. But now that she thought about it, he had told her he would tell her his story someday. Maybe now would be a good time to -

"Oh look!" Spark Storm interrupted Twilight's thoughts as he pointed to the heavens. "Shooting stars!"

Twilight gasped and looked up. Surely enough, the sky began raining little lines of ethereal light, blinking out once they had fallen enough into the atmosphere.

"Oh..." She whispered. "I've been so wrapped up in this mission, and getting ready for it, that I completely forgot about this."

Spark smirked slightly, but didn't take his eyes off the meteor shower. "You mean you had this scheduled? You're such an egghead."

Twilight's mouth curled into a look that was half insulted, half amused. "Oh hush. I love the stars. Knowing where they are, what they're called, and what they signify is more than just a hobby to me. It's part of my required studies." She glanced at him, a knowing smile on her face. "Kind of like yours, right?"

Spark resisted the urge to sputter with indignity. Sure, he was required to read the stars, but it's not like it was studying!...was it?

Twilight could tell that she'd hit the nail on the head, but she kept her little victory to herself. She was trying, by Celestia she was trying to keep things civil between them. This friendship thing the Princess kept encouraging her to do was really hard.

She took a deep, controlled breath before continuing. She really wanted to know what happened to him in Ponyville. The way he acted, and the way Emerald Skies kept changing the subject whenever she tried to bring it up was frustrating.

"Spark..." She began. Spark noticed the tone in her voice. She wanted his attention. He turned to her, for once offering her his undivided attention.

"Could you tell me? What happened in Ponyville, I mean?" She watched him with pleading eyes. This was it; the yes or no question, to which would either make or break the limits of their relationship.

Spark Storm closed his eyes and sighed. Finally, after a few moments of introspection, he motioned for her to sit. She did obediently.

The Pegasus then began to recant to Twilight about his first few years of life. His adoption into Cherry Joy's family. His school. Sapphire Snow. River and Mint. All his friends. Trying to find his parents, and learning that they'd moved on without him, birthing another son.

Then, the hard part. The later years, as Cheerilee grew up and became more and more rebellious and wild. His mother's relationship with his worst enemy's older brother. The fire. His powers activating, learning his special skill.

...His mother's death in a fire thought to be started by his sister. His exile. His despair and grief, somewhat relieved by his friends, especially his best friend, Ditzy, who refused to leave him, even under the threat to her health.

Finally, his realization that it was River who had started the fire. His fuel for revenge then taken from him, when River had been sent away before he could take vengeance. How he had lost the will to live until Sapphire Snow found him and breathed life back into him under the care of Princess Celestia herself.

By the time he was finished, the sun was beginning to rise. The sun rose over the edges of the ship, highlighting the tears on the faces of both young ponies. Spark Storm sighed and lowered his head on his forelegs and closed his eyes. He had talked for hours, and he was too tired to return to his own room.

The last thing he remembered was a warm body pressed against his side as the two of them slipped into sleep under the watchful eye of the Sun.
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Sorry this is getting here so late. I was entertaining the last couple days. More to come, stay tuned!